Chapter 3: Scarlett's feelings

(Still three weeks ago ~ On Earth)

"Should I just die? Kill myself? Or run far away where no one could ever find me?" Scarlett sighed, staring out the window of her room, a room that now mirrored the emptiness inside her.

Her face drooped in gloom. Her lifeless eyes watched others outside laughing, playing, smiling like the whole world revolved around them; while she remained trapped in a shell of loneliness and invisible scars. Her fingers clasped together as if searching for a hopeless companion while a weary sigh escaped her nose.

The same faces that now wore joyful grins had once tormented her. Bullied her. Laughed at her. Trampled her underfoot because she was nothing but the pack's shadow.

"Are you thinking of committing suicide again?"

The voice startled her.

She turned and chuckled faintly at the sight of her best friend standing at the doorway, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.

"Don't give me that fake laugh," Elora said, stepping into the room. She glanced out the window. Below, the pack members were in high spirits, racing in their wolf forms. "What are you doing?"

Scarlett didn't answer.

"You're not thinking about that again, are you? This is supposed to be a time for celebration, you know that?"

"What celebration?" Scarlett asked, her voice flat as she walked to her bed and sank onto it.

Elora blinked. "What do you mean, 'what celebration'? You're meeting Alpha Damien today."

"So?"

"So?" Elora gaped. "He's your mate! Do you know how excited I was when I heard the Moon Goddess chose you?"

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Don't get too excited, Elora. There's no way he'd accept me."

"Give me one reason why not! You're beautiful, intelligent, modest, hardworking.."

"Just stop." Scarlett clenched her fists around her blue, armless gown as tears welled in her eyes. "Stop, Elora. Beautiful? Intelligent? Don't flatter me. You know how much everyone despises me, how no one wants me around, not even my father. What do they call me? An outcast? The pack cat?"

"Scarlett.."

"Just stop." Her voice cracked. "No one wants me, Lora. No one wants a werewolf who can't even shift. No one wants a mate who can't defend herself or offer anything. You think Alpha Damien, a whole Alpha, is even going to spare me a glance?"

"He will."

"Don't be so sure. I don't wish my life for anyone else; it sucks," she turned away,

" Don't talk like that, we should be in a good mood not this sullen mood of yours",

She sighed, "This is probably the mood I'll die in",

" Hey", she whacked her shoulder, " never say that again",

" Ouch! That hurts",

" It should. And just because things ain't how we want them now doesn't mean it'll never going to be okay",

" Do you think it'll ever be?",

"That's the mystery of life. Anything can change, your story, your identity, your path. Sometimes it takes just a moment. Not even a day, just an hour. One decision. One action. One word. That's all it takes."

Scarlett looked up slowly. "My story... could change in just an hour?"

Elora smiled. "Not just yours. Anyone's. Anything. So... let's wait for that hour. I believe it's coming."

A chill crawled down Scarlett's spine. She stared at Elora with unease. "Why do I feel like those words were meant for you?"

Elora smiled gently. "They're for you, Scarlett. You just don't realize what a gift this is yet. The Moon Goddess chose you. This is your chance for a new life."

Scarlett shut her eyes, then opened them again, still full of doubt. "A new life? I'm not like you, Elora. People love you. You're beautiful and adored. You have everything. And me? I have nothing. Even my father doesn't accept me. What makes you think an Alpha would?"

Elora paused. Her fingers curled slightly, but she masked the sting behind her usual warmth. She knew Scarlett's pain, how she'd been blamed for her mother's death, despised by her father, bullied endlessly, and cursed for not being able to shift.

"I love you, Scarlett," Elora said softly, holding her hand. "And don't say you have nothing, because you have me."

Scarlett's tears slipped down her cheeks. "You're lucky, you know. Your parents love you. Your mate adores you. You're getting married in three weeks..."

"You're lucky too. My mate's not even an Alpha, and here you are, chosen by one of the most powerful Alphas in all seven packs."

Scarlett laughed through her tears. "Did you just say 'own'? That's a dream."

"A dream that's about to come true."

"I don't think so," Scarlett said, wiping her face with the back of her hand. "I honestly wish the Moon Goddess would just leave me alone. Why would she even choose me? I feel like even the gods abandoned me. She didn't have to remind me of that. I hate her."

"Don't say that," Elora chuckled. "Maybe she has a reason. Maybe... she has a life-changing surprise waiting for you."

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Life-changing. Right. If only she didn't exist, maybe my life wouldn't be this ruined."

"Okay, you need to stop. No one ruins anyone's life. And stop worrying about whether Alpha Damien will accept you or not. Just get ready to leave."

"I am ready. This is how I'm going." She gestured to her gown and wedge heels.

"You've got to be kidding me," Elora scoffed, " I'm not following a lady with a pale face like that,"

"Who said you're coming?"

"I told myself, obviously. You didn't think I'd let you go to another pack alone, did you?"

Scarlett picked up her purse and turned toward her. "I don't want anyone there when I'm rejected. It'll be humiliating."

"You can't be serious."

"I am, Elora," she said, walking out of the room as Elora hurried after her.

Down in the sitting room, Scarlett halted abruptly. Her stomach clenched.

Karine. Misha. Cynthia.

Standing right there.

"Hey, Scarlett," Cynthia greeted, smirking.

Scarlett stiffened. Their presence felt like a nightmare, and she struggled not to tremble.